Starting off at a young age with not much in her back pocket, Clair Jennifer used hard work, perseverance and determination to turn her love for fashion and clothing into a successful business.
“Armed with self-determination and passion, nothing was going to stop me.”
Clair was 19 years old when she started Wombat Boutique. She only had $2,000 and second-hand shop fittings. Armed with determination and a hunger for success, she grew the business into a national chain of 54 highly successful fashion retail stores.
“Wombat was a childhood dream. At the age of 7, I had decided I was going to be a fashion retailer.”
Creating and experimenting with fashion and making a name for herself in the industry became Clair’s sole commitment. “I was given an old-fashioned, hand-winding sewing machine for my 7th birthday and from that day, I was inspired to start creating.”
Clair’s favourite aspect of running her own business is being able to balance creativity with logical systems. “I enjoy goal setting, achieving those goals, and moving on to the next project.”
Clair wishes she had some guidance and advice before she started her fashion dream, and she gives advice to help other entrepreneurs.
“Try and watch others and learn from them. Sometimes, trying to work it out by yourself can be difficult. Stop, watch, think and ask questions.
“Remember to maintain a network of like-minded colleagues outside of your business. That way, you are always being stimulated even outside of work, and you could even learn a few lessons and extract that into your own business.”
Clair Jennifer’s advice for starting a business:
- Get clarity. Make a plan and set goals. Have checklists and review them daily, weekly, annually. Always go back and check your numbers.
- Learn everything you can about all aspects of your business so you have the tools and confidence.
- Focus on image. How is your business perceived in the mind of your customers? You want these things to be good qualities well reflected in your business.
Clair Jennifer is a Businesswomen’s Hall of Fame inductee. Read her full story here.
